[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 22, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      75TH ANNIVERSARY OF WVTM 13

 Mrs. BRITT. Madam President, I wish to recognize and honor 
Alabama's longest continuously broadcasting station, WVTM 13, on its 
75th anniversary.
  WVTM 13 originally began as WAFM-TV, an affiliate of CBS, on May 29, 
1949, becoming the first television station to broadcast in the 
Birmingham area and across our entire State. For over seven decades, 
the central Alabama region has benefitted greatly from WVTM's legacy of 
local reporting.
  A few iterations later, the station's call letters became WVTM for 
``Vulcan Times Mirror'' on March 28, 1980, and have remained for 
decades. The ``V'' references the location of the station, on top of 
Red Mountain at Vulcan Park, and Vulcan statue, the largest cast iron 
statue in the world that exemplifies Birmingham's important iron and 
steel heritage.
  Similarly, WVTM represents a significant piece of central Alabama's 
history, as well as its future. I am confident that just as this 
station has diligently served our local communities for 75 years, WVTM 
will serve Alabamians for the next 75 years.
  From the station's founding to current leadership under Susana 
Schuler, WVTM has benefited from incredible professionals and stewards 
of its community. Now an affiliate of NBC, WVTM embodies its mission 
under Hearst Television each and every day to provide quality local 
news and information in an independent, fair, and unbiased manner.
  On behalf of the people of Alabama, I offer my heartfelt thanks to 
the reporters, television anchors, video editors, producers, and entire 
WVTM staff who remain committed to broadcasting accurate, timely news 
to the communities they serve. Alabamians are proud to invite WVTM into 
their homes each and every day because the station has truly earned 
their trust through decades of diligence and excellence. Thank you, 
WVTM 13, for 75 years of exemplary service to our State.

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